In Samuel D. James’ insightful article on theological writing, he presents a compelling case for the relationship between writing style and theological integrity. He argues that “a mode of writing that eschews the careful, sustained development of ideas, in favor of a more abrupt and intuitive style, is a mode of thinking that will likely, over time, tilt away from traditional theology.” This observation highlights how our communication patterns reflect and shape our intellectual commitments.
Writing approaches are not merely stylistic choices but reveal underlying philosophical positions. As James notes, “Writing styles are not neutral. They are expressions of intellectual commitments. Sporadic prose privileges speed and emotional reaction over rumination.” This insight connects our literary practices with our theological methodology, suggesting that fragmented writing often produces fragmented thinking.
James specifically critiques contemporary theological trends that prioritize emotional intuition over careful reasoning: “Progressive theology does not have this patience. It wants to hurry past all that and get right to the more emotionally intuitive conclusions.” This rush toward immediate emotional payoff diminishes the rich tradition of theological reflection that requires disciplined, sustained thought.
The author concludes with a memorable metaphor that captures the value of deliberate, developed writing: “A microwave and a smoker can both prepare food, but only one of them can really give you all the richness of what’s inside. Consider the paragraph an intellectual smoker, one that can really bring out the richness, and the joy, of this thing we call truth.” Through this comparison, James effectively communicates that proper theological understanding, like slow-smoked food, requires time, patience, and careful development to reveal its full depth and flavor.
Source: https://wng.org/opinions/how-paragraphs-can-save-your-theology-1755145679
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